Newly discovered extra-solar planet may be Earth-like
{{date|April 24, 2007}}
{{missing image|Image:Gliese 581 c in the habitable zone.svg|thumb|right|200px|A range of theoretical habitable zones with stars of different mass (our [[solar system]] is at the centre, a {{w|red dwarf}} similar to {{w|Gliese 581}} at the bottom).}}

A planet 50% greater in radius and with about 5 times earth mass orbiting the {{w|red dwarf}} {{w|Gliese 581}} has been discovered inside the constellation of {{w|Libra (constellation)|Libra}}. 

A 2005 search revealed that the star Gliese 581 possessed a {{w|Neptune}} sized planet, prompting astronomers to take a closer look.

{{w|Gliese 581 c}}, as the planet is aptly named, has an estimated surface temperature between 0 and 40°C (32 and 104°F). Scientists claim the planet is likely to have an atmosphere and liquid water.
[[File:ESO - The Planetary System in Gliese 581 (by).jpg|thumb|left|220px|Artist's impression of the planetary system around the red dwarf Gliese 581. {{image source|[http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2007/phot-22-07.html European Southern Observatory]}}]] 
A second planet, about 8 times the mass of earth, was also discovered not too far from Gliese 581 c.

A team of scientists from [[France]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Portugal]] discovered the planets using the ESO 3.6-m telescope from the {{w|High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher}} or HARPS, located at the {{w|European Southern Observatory}} (ESO) in {{w|La Silla, Chile|La Silla}}, [[Chile]].

"The separation between the planet and its star is just right for having liquid water at its surface," said team spokesperson Stephane Udry of the {{w|University of Geneva|Observatory of Geneva}} in {{w|Versoix}}, Switzerland. "That's why we are a bit excited."

"Liquid water is critical to life as we know it and because of its temperature and relative proximity, this planet will most probably be a very important [focus] of future space missions dedicated to the search for extra-terrestrial life. On the treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X," added Xavier Delfosse, from {{w|Grenoble University}} in France.

The newly discovered planet is 20.5 light-years away from the [[World|Earth]].

{{haveyoursay}}
==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2007/pr-22-07.html
|title=Press Release: Astronomers Find First Earth-like Planet in Habitable Zone
|author=
|pub=European Southern Observatory
|date=April 25, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6589157.stm
|title=New 'super-Earth' found in space
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=April 25, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.scientificblogging.com/news/astronomers_find_first_habitable_earth_like_planet
|title=Astronomers find first habitable Earth-like planet
|author=
|pub=Scientificblogging.com
|date=April 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200704250305.htm
|title='Second Earth' may mean we're not alone
|author=Ian Sample
|pub=The Hindu
|date=April 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=25A261F0-E7F2-99DF-313249A4883E6A86&chanID=sa007
|title=All Wet? Astronomers Claim Discovery of Earth-like Planet
|author=J.R. Minkle
|pub=Scientific American
|date=April 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.dailyindia.com/show/135806.php/First-habitable-Earth-like-planet-outside-Solar-System-discovered
|title=First habitable Earth like planet outside Solar System discovered
|author={{w|Asian News International|ANI}}
|pub=DailyIndia.com
|date=April 23, 2007}}

==External Links==
*{{source|url=http://www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2007/vid-22-07.html
|title=Video: The Dwarf Carried Other Worlds Too!
|author=
|pub=European Southern Observatory
|date=April 25, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Space]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Switzerland]]
[[Category:Portugal]]
[[Category:Chile]]
[[Category:South America]]
[[Category:World]]
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:European Southern Observatory]]

[[bs:Pronađena vansolarna planeta slična Zemlji]]
[[bg:Открита е нова планета с условия много близки до земните]]
[[de:Astronomen entdecken erdähnlichen Planeten]]
[[es:Descubren un planeta "habitable"]]
[[fr:Science : découverte d'une exoplanète potentiellement habitable]]
[[it:Trovato un pianeta extrasolare abitabile? Forse]]
[[pl:Odkryto siostrę Ziemi?]]
[[sr:Пронађена прва вансоларна планета слична Земљи]]
[[ta:புவியைப் போன்ற புதிய கோள் கண்டுபிடிப்பு]]
A planet 50% greater in radius and with about 5 times earth mass orbiting the Gliese 581 has been discovered inside the constellation of Libra. 

A 2005 search revealed that the star Gliese 581 possessed a  sized planet, prompting astronomers to take a closer look.

, as the planet is aptly named, has an estimated surface temperature between 0 and 40°C (32 and 104°F). Scientists claim the planet is likely to have an atmosphere and liquid water.
Artist's impression of the planetary system around the red dwarf Gliese 581.  
A second planet, about 8 times the mass of earth, was also discovered not too far from Gliese 581 c.

A team of scientists from France, Switzerland and Portugal discovered the planets using the ESO 3.6-m telescope from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in La Silla, Chile.

"The separation between the planet and its star is just right for having liquid water at its surface," said team spokesperson Stephane Udry of the Observatory of Geneva in , Switzerland. "That's why we are a bit excited."

"Liquid water is critical to life as we know it and because of its temperature and relative proximity, this planet will most probably be a very important focus of future space missions dedicated to the search for extra-terrestrial life. On the treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X," added Xavier Delfosse, from  in France.

The newly discovered planet is 20.5 light-years away from the Earth.

bs:Pronađena vansolarna planeta slična Zemlji
bg:Открита е нова планета с условия много близки до земните
de:Astronomen entdecken erdähnlichen Planeten
es:Descubren un planeta "habitable"
fr:Science : découverte d'une exoplanète potentiellement habitable
Space Science and technology Europe France Switzerland Portugal Chile South America World Astronomy European Southern Observatory